Piñon-juniper hills, views of the Ortiz Mountains, and mining history shape the character of Los Cerrillos. Landscape and cultural history are therefore central to planning a trip; there is also a museum, a petting zoo, and guided horseback rides. If you’re looking for a place to stay, you can first decide whether hiking trails, mining history, or a guided activity should be your main focus.

Hiking Trails in the Cerrillos Hills

Cerrillos Hills State Park is intended for day visits year-round; check the latest notices before your visit. Its original hiking trails wind through piñon-juniper hills and offer views of the Ortiz Mountains and beyond. The park has a total of five miles of hiking trails. The five miles provide a specific measure of their extent, while the hills and views also describe the landscape along the trails.

Mining History and Historic Sites

The Cerrillos Mining District was listed in the New Mexico Register of Cultural Properties in 1973. The cultural heritage of the Cerrillos Hills reflects five centuries of intertwined Native American, Hispanic, and Anglo history. Mount Chalchihuitl is also listed in the New Mexico Register of Cultural Properties. The Opera House is the oldest masonry building in Cerrillos. Nineteen historic plaques have been installed in the village; their texts were approved by the current owners. Together, these details offer insight into different aspects of local history: from the historic mining district to individual sites, buildings, and plaques in the village.

Museum, Horseback Rides, and Other Activities

The Cerrillos Turquoise Mining Museum displays tools, equipment, objects, and artifacts from Cerrillos’s mineral-mining era. The collection spans from prehistory through the 1880s and into more recent times. The museum is located on the grounds of the former Palace Hotel. Alongside historic listings and plaques, the collection offers a tangible way to explore mining history.

Turquoise Hills Riding Co. offers guided horseback rides through the historic mining area of Cerrillos. The Mining Museum in Cerrillos can also arrange tours to Mount Chalchihuitl, considered the oldest turquoise mine in New Mexico. The two guided activities have different points of contact: check booking arrangements for horseback rides directly with the provider, and ask the museum about current tour options. Casa Grande Petting Zoo is home to several goats, a llama, chickens, and pigeons.

Getting There and Choosing Accommodation

The Cerrillos Historic District is accessible via State Highway 14, also known as The Turquoise Trail. This lets you choose based on the topics that interest you most while you’re there, rather than focusing on just one attraction.

Discover more destinations: Jaconita, Española, Santa Fe, Agua Fria, Cañada de los Alamos

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